( AT THE END OF HER ROPE )by onemorefanaccount
Reggie had noticed something different with (Y/N) lately. He couldn't pinpoint what the reason was...but it was really worrying him.
At first, it was subtle. The slight changes in behaviour he had originally ignored. Then came the fake smiles and snappy comments here and there. Her inability to focus on anything or maintain conversation for more than a few minutes came next. Reggie had noticed that it wasn't just with him, but with the others in their life too.
Finally having enough of being ignored and not having his girlfriend confide in him, he decided to pay her a visit.
Her father answered the door. When he realised it was Reggie, he offered a sympathetic smile and a gently squeeze on the shoulder. "She's in the kitchen," he says sadly.
When Reggie reached the kitchen, he remained in the doorway and just watched her. (Y/N) was rushing around the bench, going back and forth, talking to herself quietly.
He waited for her to notice that he was there, but she never acknowledged his presence. "(Y/N)?" he calls finally.
Her head snaps to his direction, a smile breaks out on her face-the first genuine one he had seen on her in a while. "Reggie! What are you doing here?" she asks. "Did we have something planned?" Her brow furrows as she tried to remember making the nonexistent plans.
"No we don't," he confirms. "I just wanted to come see you."
Her smile returns, "That's sweet, what's the occasion?" she questions, resuming her previous actions-continuing to prepare whatever baked goods she was making.
"Nothing in particular," he begins, moving from the door to a chair on the opposite side of the bench. He continues to follow her movements for a few more seconds before continuing. "I'm worried about you," he finally admits.
She shoots him a confused look, "Why's that?"
Reggie sighs, "(Y/N) can you stop for a second?"
(Y/N) releases her hold on the bag of flour and rests her hands against the surface of the counter. "Reggie, I can multitask," she tells him.
"I know, but this is important," he replies, the seriousness laced in his voice caused her to frown.
"Okay," she says quietly, not moving her eyes from him.
"You've been acting differently lately around me, around all our friends. It's got me worried," he informs her. "I want to help."
"You can't help," she shakes her head.
"(Y/N), please."
"What I mean is, you can't help because there's nothing to fix, nothing wrong. I'm fine."
Reggie holds back a sigh, "But you've been so disconnected from everything recently."
(Y/N) releases a groan and turns back to the flour, moving to finish measuring it out. "I haven't. I'm fine. Nothing's wrong," she repeats.
"Then how do you explain the fact we haven't had an actual conversation in days? Or that even your teachers have asked me why you haven't been paying attention in class? Or why you've been pushing everyone away?"
"Reggie stop," she insists, cracking an egg.
"No!" he demands. "I won't stop. I'm worried about you and I need to know what's wrong." (Y/N) continues to shake her head. "Please," he practically begs. "You're hurting and it's killing me. I hate seeing you like this."
"Then leave!" she yells.
Reggie didn't know how to respond, "What?"
"If you don't want to be here, then just go. I'm not forcing you to stay."
Reggie shook his head, gripping the edge of the counter, "I never said that."
"Maybe you should just go," she says, turning her back to him-moving towards the fridge. As she opens it, Reggie can see it overflowing with containers of food-primarily baked goods.
Realising she had been stress baking, he runs a hand through his hair. "I'm not going anywhere."
(Y/N) slams the door to the fridge shut, "Fine. Leave, don't leave, I don't care."
Reggie watches his girlfriend as she mixes the final few ingredients together before pouring the batter into their paper cups. He remains silent as she places the tray in the oven and as she sets the timer. He doesn't even speak when she makes her way around the bench and sits herself down in a stool one away from him.
Spinning around to face her, he watches as she uses a spoon to scoop up the extra batter and eat it. Chuckling under his breath, he rises to his feet. (Y/N) doesn't look his way.
He wraps his arms around her from behind, "I'm sorry for pushing you and getting mad. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to," he sighs. She goes to say something but he cuts her off. "I know something is stressing you out but it was wrong of me to try and force you to tell me."
(Y/N) drops the spoon in the bowl and turns around in his embrace to slip her arms around his waist. She rests her forehead against his chest and Reggie tightens his hold.
"I know you'll tell me when you're ready," he whispers. "I hope that that time will be soon, but I know you need time to process whatever it is you have to...but just know that I'm here for you."
"Thank you," she mumbles, her words almost unheard. Reggie smiles and kisses the top of her head.

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IMAGINES ▹ ROSS BUTLER
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